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Kindle vs Sear - What's the difference?

kindle | sear |

As nouns the difference between kindle and sear

is that kindle is (obsolete) a group of kittens while sear is a scar produced by searing.

As verbs the difference between kindle and sear

is that kindle is to start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc) while sear is to char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument.

As an adjective sear is

dry; withered, especially of vegetation.

kindle

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) A group of kittens.
    • A kindle of kittens.

    Hypernyms

    * clowder, glaring

    Verb

    (kindl)
  • To start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).
  • * 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
    • And then it was that I first perceived the danger in which I stood; for there was no hope of kindling a light, and I doubted now whether even in the light I could ever have done much to dislodge the great slab of slate.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author=(Henry Petroski)
    • , title= Geothermal Energy , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.}}
  • (figuratively) To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).
  • (obsolete) To bring forth young; to give birth.
  • * (Shakespeare)
  • * Holland
    • The poor beast had but lately kindled .

    Synonyms

    * (to start a fire): ignite * (to arouse): arouse, inspire

    Antonyms

    * (to start a fire): douse, extinguish * (to arouse): dampen

    Related terms

    * enkindle * kindling * rekindle

    Anagrams

    * * * English collective nouns

    sear

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) seer, seere, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Dry; withered, especially of vegetation.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) seeren, seren, from (etyl) , Greek hauos'' ("dry"), Sanskrit ''s?sa'' ("drought"). The use in firearms terminology may relate to French ''serrer ("to grip").

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument.
  • To wither; to dry up.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • (figurative) To mark permanently, as if by burning.
    • The events of that day were seared into her memory.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A scar produced by searing
  • Part of a gun that retards the hammer until the trigger is pulled.

    • Anagrams

    * ----